CHAPTER 53

... 'removed the boundary-stones of others, and took them as his own.'

... 'made false covenants with men.'

... 'committed many breaches of promise, (6) and broke promises with the pious and with the wicked; (7) for both are promises, alike with the pious, and alike with the wicked.'

1. And afterwards, Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, took hold of my hand; (2) and I was carried on to Chakat-i-Daitih, below the Chinwad bridge, into a desert; (3) and was shown hell in the earth of the middle of that desert, below the Chinwad bridge. 4. The groaning and cries of Ahriman and the demons and demonesses and many other souls of the wicked, came so, from that place, (5) that I was frightened, because I considered that they would shake the seven regions of the earth which heard that noise and groaning. 6. And I entreated Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, (7) thus: 'Carry me not here, but turn back'.

8. And then, Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said to me (9) thus: 'Fear not! since there is no danger whatever for thee from here.' 10. And in front, went Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel; (11) and in the rear, fearlessly, I, Arda Viraf, went on further into that gloomy hell.